Sig adds, “No shit. Sounds just like him.”

“Assholes’re not hard to impersonate.”

On that note, Sig glances at me, I shut Travis’s door and get back into the passenger seat so we can get home. It’s quiet in the cab for a few minutes until Sig starts talking about video games, then the conversation takes off in a direction that I can’t even begin to relate to. I just listen silently, basking in the subtle animation that enters Travis’s voice. Gaming is one of his favorite pass-times. I think it’s one of the only things that make him feel normal. Comfortable.

When we get to the house, this time Sig pulls all the way up into the driveway before he shuts off the engine.

“Wanna come in and play some?” Travis asks as he gathers his bag and reaches for the door.

“No!” I interrupt in alarm. I feel both sets of eyes swing to me as I get out and open Travis’s small door to let him out. “I mean, that’s not a good idea on a school night, Travis. Why don’t you take your stuff in? I’ll be in a minute.”

I give Travis a steady, meaningful look. His lips thin, but he says nothing, just turns and walks sullenly toward the front door.

When he’s inside, I close the small door and turn to Sig. “Thanks for the ride. I…Travis…he…it was good for him. Thank you. You should probably go now, though. Since he knows the truck, he might think…I don’t know what he’ll think if he sees you out here half the night.”

“Look, I’m happy to come in and play some games with him. Or even stay with him for a while tonight, while you’re with Tonin. Unless someone else would mind me being there.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just Travis and me here. But he’s funny about his space. He likes…well, he likes the quiet.”

“Just you and Travis?” he repeats.

“Yep. Just us.”

Sig looks like he wants to say something, but he doesn’t. I pray that he doesn’t argue. I don’t want to hurt his feelings when he’s just trying to be nice. But I will if I have to. I have my priorities and Travis is number one. And that includes keeping any secrets that could risk him.

“Does Lance ever come over?”

“He has a few times, but usually just to get me. He knows about Travis. He either just picks me up or I go over there.”

“And you spend all of your nights here? Like you have recently?”

I know what he’s asking. I gulp and will my cheeks not to turn red with embarrassment. “Yes, I spend them here. With Travis.”

Sig shakes his head slowly. “And he spends them with…company.”

I take a deep breath and nod. “Yes.”

“Well, if you change your mind, I only live a couple blocks away.”

“You do?” An unexpectedly warm sensation spreads through my belly, like temptation itself just moved in next door and I can feel the sensual fire of its welcome all the way through to my core. I almost wish I didn’t know, that Sig hadn’t told me. Knowing he’s close. I shiver. “Did Lance tell you to do that? Move in close, I mean.”

“Nope. Just coincidence, I guess. If you believe in that kind of thing.”

“You don’t?”

“Not at all. I believe in fate, though.”

His dark whiskey eyes are fixed on mine, unmoving, unwavering. They lure me in, in to him, to his trust, to his web, so I back away. I know what lies in the web–a spider. That’s what always lies in the web. Never anything good.

“I believe in making the right choices.”

“And you think Lance Tonin is the right choice?”

“For me? For now? Yes.”

“Until something better comes along?”

“Something like that.”

Sig leans across the seat toward me. “I’m something better.”

“Are you?”

“I am.”

I search his eyes. For his meaning, for his game, for his plan. I find nothing, nothing but want. It gleams there beneath the chocolate like a shiny penny, hidden, but just barely. I wonder if he’s even trying to conceal it.

“Thanks again for the ride,” I say and I close the door behind me. I’m all the way inside, leaning against the wall in my bedroom when I finally hear Sig’s engine start. I don’t move until the deep rumble has disappeared down the street.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN- SIG

I’ve got her. She may not be absolutely sure about that yet, but I am. It’s just a matter of time. Keep doing what I’m doing and she’ll be mine.

I think about the information that I could glean from her once I have her on the hook. If I can just convince her of how much better off she’ll be without Tonin in her life, we could take him down together. It would be an amazing bust. My career would skyrocket. I’d have my pick of assignments. And Tommi would be free.

So then why do I feel guilty?

Because it’s counterproductive, I choose not to dwell on the answer.

Just over an hour later, I’m delving into warehouses near Finch’s location using the secure connection the department had installed in my undercover hovel. My phone rings and I see Barber’s number come up.

“Sig,” I answer flatly.

“Where the hell are you?”

“Home. Why?”

“Why the hell aren’t you with Tommi? Your job is to keep eyes on her at all times. That’s what you’re paid for.”

“She asked me to leave. Besides, she’s just at home with her brother and then she’s going out with Tonin. I didn’t think–”

“You don’t get paid to think. You get paid to make sure she’s safe. Get your ass over there.”

How the hell did he know I’m not over there?

“She doesn’t want me in her house because of Travis and–”

“Never step foot inside unless she’s in trouble, asshole. Lance’ll have you shot. Keep an eye on her from outside. Like you’ve been doing.”

So they’ve been checking up on me. Or on Tommi. Or both.

“On my way,” I snap before I hang up. I’m used to taking orders from my captain and from a few superiors I respect. From my father on occasion, even. But it goes against the grain to jump when a shithole like Barber or Tonin gives me an order. But I’ll do it. Because it’ll be that much sweeter when I bring ‘em all down.